This dish is quite common in Indian cuisine, but a vegan version is a very rare find. Most recipes call for spices to be sauteed in “ghee” or clarified butter. But the real flavor for peas rice come from the spices that you add to the rice. I agree to be sent email.
Try this recipe and you will know what I mean. But before you start, please note that the recipe calls for a little bit of prep work.
Instant Pot Cilantro Peas Rice
You would have to soak the rice for at least 10 minutes and the peas for at least two hours. Although it seems excessive, it is necessary to soften the rice and peas ahead of time. You could instead go with frozen peas, but they tend to get overcooked sometimes. Once you are through with the prep work, the rest of the procedure is a breeze with the Instant Pot. Watch my video clip for easy reference. This can be prepared in a regular pressure cooker as well, by leaving it to cook to 1 whistle and let it cool gradually. As for vegetables, I chose to go simple with just peas, but you can also add finely chopped carrots. A little bit of fried onion will also add to the taste. Try your version of Cilantro Peas Rice and let me know how you like it.
Second method
I shared this recipe a year ago and at that time, I blended the grated coconut with cilantro and other spices. Today’s version is an easier and more flavorful one. I used coconut milk instead of grated coconut. I also used fresh mint leaves for more authentic flavor. Last but not least, I skipped adding garlic to make it better suited for lunch boxes. So, here’s to a better version of a good recipe. My whole family enjoyed it with a side of vegan raita.
No onion and garlic rice
For this Matar pulao, I did not use any garlic and onion. But you can add if you prefer to. Garlic and Onion flavors usually dominate other spices and skipping these ingredients helped bring out the aroma from other spices. It makes the dish better suited for lunch boxes, and for the picnic table. You can store this peas rice in an airtight container up to 5 days. Check out my other Instant Pot recipes Instant Pot vegetable rice, Mushroom rice, Pineapple rice, Spicy Chana Quinoa, Instant Pot Sambar Just subscribe to my newsletter for more delicious vegan recipes such as this sent directly to your inbox. If you’ve tried this recipe then don’t forget to leave a rating and let me know how you liked it in the comments below, I love hearing from you! Follow me on social media Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
📖 Recipe
Enjoy Cilantro Peas Rice is ready! Serve hot with your favorite side dish!
